Colleagues:
In recent weeks, several Guild members have asked how the impending buyout/layoff program will work. As you recall, a note from Nancy Barnes indicated last month that up to 30 positions could be eliminated from the newsroom. These reductions are likely to be announced in the first half of January.
Here are the governing tenets from the contract for these situations. Copies of the contract were recently distributed in your mailboxes; they are also available electronically here.
Management must offer buyouts before any layoffs occur (Article XIII, Section 3). Management may seek as many buyouts as it wishes. It does not mean that an equal number of layoffs will occur.
The buyouts may be offered by job titles. If your job title is included in the buyout package, this does not necessarily mean that you will be laid off if you do not take the buyout. Remember, layoffs are based on seniority.
The terms of the buyout must at least match the terms specified for layoffs in the contract (Article VIII, Section 1). A footnote in the contract (Page 12) calls for one and a half weeks pay for each 52 weeks of continuous service up to a maximum of 30 weeks. Those terms hold until the contract expires July 31, 2011.
Once the buyout package is announced, Guild members interested in a buyout have 15 days to respond. There is NO 45-day recission period, unlike previous buy out offers.
After the 15-day period, Management will announce layoffs, to take effect 14 days later. As mentioned, layoffs are based on seniority. If you do not know your seniority, please contact your co-chairs, David Chanen or Janet Moore.
The job titles for layoff purposes are (Article XIII, Section 3):
A. Copy Editors
B. Reporters, Columnists, Editorial Writers
C. Photographers and Videographers
D. Graphic Artists and Designers
E. Reference Librarians
F. Library Classifiers and Researchers
G. Photo Lab Assistants
H. Receptionists, Typists Clerks
I. Team Leaders, Department Heads and Assistants
J. Copy Desk Chiefs
K. Wire and Web Editors
L. Photo Editors
M. Design Director, Deputy Design Directors, Assistant Design Directors, Startribune.com Design Director
N. Specialty Editors (CAR Editor, Artists Team Leader, Senior Producer, etc.)
O. Promotion Copy Writers and Promotion Graphic Designers
P. Metro Circulation District Managers
Q. News Assistants
R. Graphics Composition Technicians
Management may pick some of the categories for layoffs, or all of them.
Exemptions from layoffs: This is a new part of the contract (Article XIII, Section 3). This provision states that Management may exempt no more than 20 percent of any reduction-in-force, or one exemption for every five positions within a job title. For example, if 20 layoffs are announced, Management may exempt up to four individuals.
There shall be no more than 12 exemptions during a calendar year.
If you are exempted, your Manager will notify you.
We realize this may be confusing for many members, if you have questions, please contact David or Janet, or any of the vice chairs. We will be posting updates on stribguild.com as we receive new information.
In the meantime, the Guild is working with the AFL-CIO and the state Department of Employment and Economic Development to have an employment specialist come in to discuss unemployment benefits and other state resources (including retraining assistance) for members who are taking a buyout or being laid off. There is one person in the state who handles unionized workplaces, so you can imagine how busy he is. We’ll keep you posted.
Thank you for your patience.
David Chanen/Janet Moore
David Chanen Contract